Related articles

The West Country is the only region which could escape snow although the region has a 50 per cent chance of a flurry on Christmas Day.

Mr Corbyn said: “We expect snow showers, blizzards and thundersnow at times in Scotland, the north and the Midlands over the Christmas period threatening major road and air travel disruption.

“Christmas Day could well see major blizzards over land with storms out to sea which could reach hurricane force.

“Through to the end of December we expect further blizzards and bitter winds in Scotland and northern England.”

Long-range experts say this winter is shaping up to be the worst for at least six years after five successive mild seasons.

The Met Office said below-average temperatures are possible until February with an exceptionally bitter start to winter now a threat.

IG

Snow: La Nina ocean cooling and changes to Atlantic waters have also been blamed

Despite autumn coming to an end last week, Britain has already had the first major cold spell of the season.

Extreme weather at the end of November saw thermometers drop to -12C in parts of the country triggering a raft of health and severe weather warnings.

Experts have warned vulnerable and elderly people not to be lulled into a false sense of security by the previous mild winters.

This year is already showing worrying similarities to 1962/63 including early cold weather triggered by high pressure over Scandinavia early in the season.

By the end of December 1962 blizzards were treating across Britain leaving impassible 20-feet snow drifts and bringing down power lines.

Snow remained for up to two months after the initial fall due to sub-zero temperatures which refused to lift.

UK

Snow: Temperatures are forecast to drop across Britain over the next two weeks

Exacta Weather’s James Madden warned the mercury could dip to -20C by the end of the year triggering “snow event after snow event”.

He said: “December is now likely to follow a cold and snowy weather pattern across many parts of the country.

“Colder conditions will be accompanied by potentially countrywide snow events particularly around the periods of the 12th to the 17th and the 21st to the 29th of December.

“Over the next few weeks there is a very high risk for snow event after snow event across the country, with temperatures dipping as low or exceeding -20C.”

The Local Government Association (LGA) has said teams are at the ready to “protect” millions of people at risk from severe weather.

Transport spokesman Martin Tett has urged Britons to keep an eye on elderly and vulnerable friends and neighbours through the winter.

He said: “Councils are fully prepared to protect residents and minimise disruption to their residents caused by the drop in temperatures.

GETTY

There is 90-per cent chance of extreme snowfall, forecasters warn

“We are well prepared for the cold with 1.2 million tonnes of salt stockpiled and a fleet of state-of-the-art gritters ready to be deployed.

"As well as gritting our roads and clearing snow, council teams are ready to be drafted in to help provide a variety of services to ensure we are looking out for the more vulnerable members of our communities this winter.

"But council staff can't be everywhere, they rely on community-spirited residents to look out for each other.

“Just a quick knock on the door of an elderly neighbour who's perhaps too proud or unable to ask for help can make all the difference.

“Local authorities will be constantly updating websites with information on weather, gritting routes, road conditions, school closures and bin collections.”

Bookies have been forced to slash the odds on snow this Christmas after a surge of bets triggered by recent cold weather.